Arsene Wenger must be sacked if Arsenal fail to win title, says Paul Merson - it's hard to disagree

Arsenal suffered a major blow to their title hopes in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, leaving the Gunners five points behind surprise leaders Leicester City and three behind rivals Tottenham.

With defending champions Chelsea and Manchester United out of the picture and Manchester City having struggled for form, Merson does not see how Wenger could remain in his job if Arsenal do not capitalise by ending their title drought.

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"If Man City don't win the league and Tottenham or Leicester do then Arsene Wenger has to go," he told Sky Sports.

"If you're sitting there telling those fans - loyal Arsenal fans - that they don't need any new players at the start of the season and then you don't win the league in front of Leicester or Tottenham then I don't see how you can justify it.

"If Man City win the league he can turn around and say 'they've got all the money in the world and can go and buy whoever they want, so would whoever I bought have made much difference?'

"But if Leicester or Tottenham win the league after he said they didn't need any players then I don't see how he can keep his job."

"They went out on Sunday with an attitude of 'it's only Man United and they've got loads of injuries and kids playing, so we'll breeze through this game'.

"It just frustrates me and it absolutely does my head in.

"People point to the players, but the manager has to get the players up for these games. Man United might be fifth and not having a good season, but it's still Man United in front of 75,000 people."

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While it was a very damaging defeat to United, Arsenal are certainly not out of the title hunt with 11 games still remaining in the season. However, it’s very hard to disagree with Merson’s verdict given the fact that it has appeared to be an open goal for Arsenal this season with the established big clubs having fallen by the wayside. Wenger can have no excuses if he fails to win the title this season and if Leicester or rivals Tottenham beat his side to it, the fans will be very upset indeed. Will he ever get a better opportunity? All of that being said, of course Wenger won’t get sacked. Of course he won't get sacked!